TV sticks: The 4 best devices to upgrade an old TV and access all apps in 4K

Televisions have gone from being devices with no expiration date to having a lifespan that rarely exceeds six years . Technological advancements have made them smart, but also disposable. To extend their service indefinitely, in this article, we review the four top-of-the-range, latest-generation TV sticks sold in the country.

For the past five years, smart TVs have been the only option available in local stores. And while the more affordable lines feature simplified operating systems, the higher-end ranges use established platforms like Android TV, LG's WebOS, or Samsung's Tizen.

If there's one trap that no one can escape, it's software obsolescence : a corporate strategy to prematurely remove displays from the market. And even if the panels are intact and everything continues to work, updates suddenly stop arriving, incompatibilities appear, or loading errors occur.

Many TVs run slow or lose access to apps, not because of a lack of merit, but because brands are cutting support . Added to this is the limited internal memory . With just 10 GB on the top-of-the-range options, space fills up quickly, apps take a long time to open, and update errors become part of the digital landscape.

When a television is abandoned by its manufacturer, the resurrection comes with streaming players or TV sticks . Connected to the HDMI port, they add storage and restore access to almost any app, becoming digital lifelines for screens that seemed doomed to oblivion.

The list of reliable models, with a protected environment and a remote control, includes the Roku Express 4K , Amazon Fire Tv Stick 4k , Xiaomi Smart Tv Stick 4k Color and Google TV Streamer , a natural replacement for the legendary Chromecast .

Among streaming players, the big difference is in the resolution : 1080p is abundant, and 4K offerings are growing. If your TV supports Ultra High Definition, a device that matches that quality is a must to squeeze every pixel, as long as the content supports it.

Another important point is to check if the TV supports HDR and certifications like Dolby Vision, for a sharper image, since only the most advanced stick models offer these features and, of course, they cost much more.

Since most content is enjoyed online, 10 GB of internal memory is sufficient as a base, although there are devices with more capacity for storing series or movies. Additionally, many smart TV boxes include a built-in USB port, allowing you to expand storage space by connecting an external drive and preventing the screen from running short on storage.

Due to its price-performance ratio, it has established itself as the most competitive streaming device of the moment. It's no surprise that it leads the connected TV (CTV) market in the United States, with a 38.2% market share by early 2025, according to Yahoo figures, surpassing Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Google TV/Android TV.

Its strength also lies in its support and the user community that backs it. This critical mass ensures more stable and optimized operation of the applications within its ecosystem compared to most operating systems included in televisions of different brands.

"The business focuses on software development, with ongoing investments aimed at improving application launch speed, simplifying access, and providing a clear and functional interface," a company spokesperson said.

Most legal apps are available, plus a wide range of content on the Roku Channel and more than 400 live TV channels.

Another attraction is the remote control: small, minimalist, and free of unnecessary extras. It includes shortcuts to Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as allowing you to turn the TV on, off, and control its volume, even using voice commands. It costs 64,000 pesos .

The device marks a leap forward in Amazon's streaming lineup. It features a 2.0 GHz Mediatek MT8696T processor and a revamped GPU, giving it greater fluidity and speed compared to previous generations.

Its architecture allows you to open applications in less time and play demanding content, such as 4K movies with Dolby Vision, without interruptions. The Fire OS 8 operating system optimizes resource usage and introduces a more responsive interface, especially when executing voice commands with Alexa .

Support for formats like HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos enhances the home audio experience. It offers stable 4K playback at 60 frames per second, with sharp images even in high-contrast scenes. While it doesn't support Hi-Res audio, surround sound performance is solid. Its price is around 78,000 pesos .

This second generation retains its ultra-compact design, designed for televisions with limited space behind the panel. It measures 110 mm, weighs 30 grams, connects to the HDMI port, and is powered via microUSB.

Powered by a 6-nanometer AMLogic S905X5M processor along with a Mali-G310 V2 GPU, a notable improvement over the previous model. It runs on Google TV 14 , an evolution of Android TV that streamlines navigation and offers greater content customization.

The interface is fluid, with direct access to platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, as well as support for voice commands through the Google Assistant.

The device plays in 4K at 60 frames per second, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, DTS, and Dolby Atmos. It also adds support for the AV1 codec, optimized for streaming services, and an HDMI 2.1a output with auto-refresh and game mode. Its price is 85,000 pesos .

It's the successor to the Chromecast, maintaining the Google TV operating system and core features, but adding improvements that put it a step above . It offers 4K resolution, support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, increased processor power, and the ability to integrate home automation controls.

Unlike other sticks, it adopts a desktop design that allows for the addition of an Ethernet port to optimize internet connectivity, expand storage, locate the remote control, and function as a control center for Matter.

On the back, it features three ports: USB-C, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI 2.1 (cable not included). Next to the LED indicator, there's a handy button to activate a beep on the controller and make it easier to locate. The device comes with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.

The processor also changes: from the Amlogic S905X3 quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 clocked at 1.9 GHz, Google switches to the MediaTek MT8696, the same one found in the second-generation Amazon Fire TV 4K Max. According to the company, performance improves by 22% compared to the previous version. It costs around 160,000 pesos .